File No. 763.72/5428
The Chargé in Turkey ( Tarler) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 20.]
Sir: Through the courtesy of the Swedish Minister, I have the honor to transmit herewith copy and translation of a note from the Ottoman Minister of Foreign Affairs, dated April 20, 1917, informing the Embassy that in view of the state of war existing between the United States and the German Empire, as the ally of the latter country the Ottoman Government was obliged to break off diplomatic relations with the Government of the United States, beginning from April 20.
This note was delivered to the Embassy at 1.15 p.m. on April 20 by Chevki Bey, director of the cabinet particulier of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In delivering this note he asked that Mrs. Elkus be informed that the Ambassador would, of course, remain here as long as might be necessary, and also asked if she had any special wishes to communicate to the Minister. All details as to the departure of the Embassy staff and other questions were left until the following day.
For a week prior to the rupture such a move on the part of the Sublime Porte was known to be imminent, and on Monday, the 16th instant, one of the Ottoman Ministers stated that the Cabinet was being “forced” to break relations, and that he feared the communication of this decision to the Embassy was merely a matter of time. Later the Embassy heard that this communication might be put off [Page 599] until after the departure of the Grand Vizier for Berlin on April 21, and as late as the 19th a more reassuring report was also heard, but these proved to be without foundation.
Since the rupture of relations with Austria-Hungary no cipher telegrams from the Department have reached this Embassy, so that it has been necessary to arrange for another channel of communication with the Department. I trust that it has received the several telegrams forwarded in this way, informing it as to the progress of the illness of Mr. Elkus, the imminence of a break in relations, and asking which members of the staff should be left here, etc.
As the Department has been informed, the Swedish Minister here has not yet received instructions from his Government about taking over American interests, so that a final transfer of these interests to his protection has not yet been possible. Mr. d’Anckarsvärd has, however, been very courteous in assisting the Embassy in the present circumstances, and American interests will be definitely turned over to him as soon as he shall have received the instructions from his Government which are foreshadowed by those of the Department.
The attitude of the Foreign Office and of the civil authorities has, since Friday, been of a most courteous nature. There has been absolutely no interference with the normal activities of the Embassy, which in most respects have followed their usual course. There has been no excitement of any sort at the Embassy or at the Consulate General. On Saturday, the 21st, I had an informal interview with the acting Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, and took up with him the numerous questions arising out of the new situation.
In the first place, it was necessary to make arrangements as to the departure of the Embassy staff, as the Department will observe that in the enclosed note no mention is made of the passports of the Ambassador and his staff being at their disposal. The Acting Undersecretary, Moukhtar Bey, stated that the question of the departure of the staff with or before the departure of the Ambassador had not yet been considered. I left with him two lists of the Embassy and consular personnel; the first containing the names of the Ambassador and the permanent Embassy staff, who would depart with him or remain here to assist the Swedish Minister with American interests; and the second comprising the names of the extra attaches of the Embassy, together with the military attaché and Commander Morton as naval attaché, and the entire consular staff here, who might all leave at once. An early decision in this matter and all possible facilities in connection with the departure were promised. The Dutch and Swedish Ministers also saw the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the same day and urged upon him that the whole official staff should remain here until the Ambassador was able to travel.
[Page 600]I also requested Moukhtar Bey to take up with the Minister and the other departments concerned the question of the journey to Constantinople of all the consuls; of the departure of American citizens from Constantinople and elsewhere in Turkey, informing him that there are now about 75 Americans in this city ready to leave, and that there are approximately 175 other Americans connected with American missionary institutions in the interior who might want to leave soon. As the Austro-Hungarian Government has given a period of but four weeks from April 9 for the passage of Americans across that country into Switzerland, Moukhtar Bey was requested to arrange as soon as possible for the Americans now here to leave for Switzerland. A list of the Americans who have completed all formalities for departure except obtaining the final police permit is herewith enclosed.1
With respect to the status of American institutions and schools, Moukhtar Bey stated that he understood unofficially that they were not to be disturbed, although he could then give no official assurances in this connection. I have the honor to confirm my telegram, No. 2640 of even date,1 informing the Department that Djavid Bey, as Acting Minister of the Interior, had sent circular telegraphic instructions to the provincial authorities, instructing them that the rupture of diplomatic relations was not a declaration of war, that American citizens and institutions should be treated by the authorities as heretofore, without however having any official relations with the American consuls.
In spite of the foregoing, on the evening of April 21 two companies of soldiers appeared at the College for Girls in Arnaoud-Keuy and at Robert College, declaring that they had instructions to occupy the buildings for hospital purposes. These soldiers and the officers in command of them are reported to have been civil to the Americans at the two schools. It is further reported that they had previously applied to the local police for assistance in occupying the premises, and that the police told them that they (the police) had instructions from their superiors not to disturb the two American institutions in question. In any event, after an appeal to one of the Ministers, and verbal representations on the part of the Swedish Minister to the Foreign Office, these soldiers left Robert College at about noon on the 22d, and Arnaoud-Keuy later on the same day. The Embassy hears, however, that the military authorities plan to occupy the two colleges after their scholastic year is terminated about May 15.
There has as yet been no move to disturb the Bible House in Stamboul, but the Embassy has not received any information as to what [Page 601] is taking place in the interior, where the local authorities, in spite of instructions, may not have distinguished between a break in relations and a state of war. It seems only too probable that the most these institutions can hope for is to finish their school year unmolested.
I have also the honor to transmit herewith copy and translation of the Sublime Porte’s note verbale concerning the departure or internment of the U. S. S. Scorpion. Commander Morton has made a full report to the Navy Department explaining his motives in not trying to leave Constantinople, and this report will probably be taken out by the Ambassador. Beyond the removal of the guns and ammunition, the ship has so far not been disturbed nor been obliged to leave its former moorings, and the guard of 14 men stationed near the Embassy since the internment of the ship has likewise remained there without interference. In this matter also the attitude of the Turkish authorities has been most courteous.
The transfer of the various interests hitherto in the care of this Embassy and of the consulates in Turkey is being gradually carried out. In conformity with the instructions of the Department, Italian and Montenegrin interests have been delivered to the Spanish Legation; British, French, and Russian interests to the Dutch Legation; and Belgian and Serbian interests together with our own to the Swedish Legation.
In the provinces the distribution of all these interests will be very difficult, as there are at present very few neutral career consular officers, and many of the honorary Dutch and Swedish consuls are either German or Austrian subjects. In Jerusalem there is a Spanish career consul, in Beirut and Smyrna there are Dutch career officials, and in Smyrna the Swedish consul is a Dutch subject. In Brusa our interests can be turned over to a career Hellenic vice consul, while in Mersina there is an honorary Spanish consul. In Aleppo it is difficult to make any arrangements, as the only neutral government represented there is Holland, whose interests are in charge of an Austrian subject. In Harput it will be necessary to close the office entirely, as there are no neutral consuls anywhere in that region. At Samsun it is possible that some other neutral government may name Mr. Peter, who is a Swiss citizen, as its consular representative.
The general instructions for the consuls contained in the Department’s cipher telegraphic instruction of March 311 were forwarded by mail to the various consuls on April 3, and it is probable that they have been received at Smyrna, Mersina, and Aleppo. A brief summary of the essential portions of these telegraphic instructions has also been telegraphed to the consuls at Beirut, Jerusalem, and Harput. The portion of these instructions relating to the work of [Page 602] the Embassy is being followed, but some matters can not be finally closed up until the departure of the Ambassador, and it will be necessary to retain part of the Embassy employees until that time.
The accounts of the Embassy are being closed to-day, and sufficient funds have been procured during the past two days to supply the needs of the various interests for at least a month, until the respective Legations here can arrange for funds through their governments. The Embassy is informed that funds can best be obtained in large sums by opening credits in Holland. The Dutch Legation, which is in charge of the three interests requiring the largest amounts of money, will thus find its task facilitated.
Mr. Peet plans to continue the various soup kitchens and other charitable enterprises which are carried on with American funds at least until the departure of Mr. Elkus, and I have requested the authorities to permit this. Any stoppage in relief and charitable funds from the United States will be sorely felt by many classes and elements in this country.
The illness of the Ambassador began on Wednesday, April 11, and the crisis is taking place to-day and will probably not be definitely passed until the 25th instant. His physicians have been Dr. Bertram V. D. Post, of Robert College, and Dr. Zlozitsky, a German specialist in typhus now stationed here. Various other physicians have also been called into consultation. His care has been of the very best, as several American and Canadian trained nurses were available. His illness has caused deep sorrow here, and there have been a great many manifestations of this feeling in all quarters, as he and Mrs. Elkus have gained the high respect and friendship of all classes. The attending physicians state that Mr. Elkus will not be able to travel before May 25 at the earliest.
The Foreign Office unofficially informs the Embassy that Ottoman interests in the United States, France, Greece, and Roumania will be entrusted to the Spanish representatives in those countries, and that Sweden has been requested to assume the protection of Ottoman interests in Great Britain and Dominions. I was informed also by Moukhtar Bey that the Ottoman Chargé d’Affaires at Washington had been instructed to request passports for himself and all the Ottoman consular officers in the United States. At least a month must elapse before all of the American consular officials in Turkey can reach this city, so that it is probable that they will be able to leave with the Ambassador.
From the foregoing report the Department will note that so far the general attitude manifested towards American interests in this city by the Ottoman authorities has been courteous and all that could be expected in the circumstances., The main question pending at the [Page 603] present time is the granting of final permission for the unofficial Americans to leave for Switzerland within the period fixed by the Austro-Hungarian Government, and a definite decision in this matter is promised for the 26th instant. If this decision is favorable, those who wish to go will be able to get away in time. If unfavorable, there may be a possibility of securing an extension of time from the Austro-Hungarian authorities to enable these nonofficial Americans to go out at the same time with the Ambassador. In any event, the decision of the Ottoman authorities in this matter will indicate their real attitude.
I have [etc.]